I am so excited about getting out in the timber with the kids for the first time this year. Both of my children have decided to hunt, so I bought a youth model 243 last year and we have been shooting it a lot the last couple of weeks...(they are better shots than I am) haha As a 20+ year bow hunter this is a new game for me. We are talking about 100 yard shots and a new mind set. They have grown up with me watching the Outdoor channel and loading the dvd player with big bucks videos instead of Disney stuff. They told me they wouldn't shoot a small buck.... it has to be a mature deer or they would just shoot a doe. I didn't come to that conclusion without first a few small racked, less than mature deer in the freezer. I saw a post with the question asking why people shot small bucks instead of does with loose tag limits. Are we setting their goals too high for new hunters? They see the BIG BUCKS they take on TV and it is not to often they talk about management bucks, or show them taking does. When it comes to freezer meat we all know what taste better..... I think this is a great site with great information, and the more I talk to new hunters, the more concerned I get that we are not helping out the new people that want to take part in this sport. Do you have any information on starting a hunting club so we can share our ideas and tips to the next generation of hunters? My daughter has been in some heated discussions with kids at school defending hunting and talking about doing it the right way. I want to help out. Let me know your thoughts. I just can't believe how excited I am for them to hunt. What a great feeling for Dad.

Hey thats great that the kids are interested in hunting. Many are not mainly because they are too lazy these days. The hunting shows are good and bad IMO. Good because it gets many interested in hunting and they learn bits and pieces of info that can be usefull. Bad because it gives a false sence of reality. Nearly all shows end with a kill and we know thats rarely the case. Also many are shot on game ranches and not normal woods or farms. The solitude of sitting and waiting isnt enjoyable for long for many if sightings arent regular. I hunt in Florida. Not well known for its big deer. I could go to Georgia or Alabama but the economy has got me grounded to my home woods. I find a small spiral notebook journal helps to pass the time and is a good read later both for me and others. In before daylight and absolutely never climbing down before 10 is my usual plan. Ive found kids burn out easier in the morning than the evening where it seems to get more exiting near the end of the day. My daughter liked hunting but quit going about 14. Too much other stuff going on in her teenage life, so enjoy the moments while their still young and good luck.

I have two daughters who will be hunting with me as well. Probably not this fall though they need a lot more practice shooting.However as the season is winding down I will get them out into the field with me just so they can get a feel for what happens while hunting for deer. I also agree with you on the outdoor shows they always take a great animal even if it is what they call a management buck.Both of my kids have watched these type of shows and it has been explained to them that these are proffesionally guided hunts on ranches that are sometimes fenced. I realize this makes for a great show and yes I get a thrill out of seeing big bucks on t.v.But as you said what is this doing for the sport of hunting? As hunters we need to bring more youth into the sport and bringing there hopes up with this type of programming is not to helpful.

there is nothing wrong with shooting an immature buck as long as the reason to do so has been thought out. kids first deer, or anyone's first deer, meat for the freezer with limited time or tags. there are lots of good reason to do so. i just think "because it was standing there" isn't good enough and we all should strive to think about what we are doing out there for the "sport", the animal, and other hunters. someone said think about yourself and forget everyone else regardless of the harm that may be doing, thats just wrong thinking in my opinion. if we are going to get a kid or newbie into hunting they need to first understand all the reasons we hunt, tradition, management of the resource, food, ect. not just to kill stuff. again its the four stages of being a hunter.

oh and enjoy this time with your kids they do grow up so fast. then you're going what the heck happened to the time.

Do you have any information on starting a hunting club so we can share our ideas and tips to the next generation of hunters?

This site can be a help for any youth hunter out there. I want those kids on here reading posts from the older mature hunters that frequent this forum daily. Good learning tool in my book. The young hunters or potential young hunters on here is the reason we run such a strick language guideline. If my parents didnt let me say it when I was little we will edit it out here. No fault to the poster just would rather not kids read it if their not suppose to say it.

A young hunter thing that is being done locally here is a "Youth Day" on the first juvenile hunt. All kids are invited, prizes are given, refreshment, etc. etc. Its put on by a local taxidermy/processing shop and I am going to get heavily involved with it next year. It has outgrown the taxidermy shop and they can use the help. I think they had 80 kids this year. I am looking forward to this all ready.

Congrats on the daughters wanting to hunt with you. Thats every hunting daddy's dream I think. And believe me I will not hold my hunting restrictions to my daughter. I will teach QDMA but will without a doubt let her pull the trigger on a small buck on her first hunt if she so chooses. Now when she gets older and takes out a small buck or two I am sure her thinking will probably change. Just like most any other hunters.

In my state its get what is offered to you if you want some meat for your family. I agree that conservation should be followed to achieve a better herd , but If I waited for my state to manage a better herd I might as well quit hunting.It will not happen in my life time and I already pay the F&G to asses the herd yearly and if they say its OK to shoot what ever is legal then I should take advantage of it.As for those who wait for an old giant because they say its better management then my hats off to you. As for me I'm well fed and I'm getting my moneys worth out of my already costly license.To wrap it up I'll say to all of those who say that I'm hurting the deer herd by taking out 1 1/2 & 2 1/2 year old bucks put a sock in it because I'm doing what my F&G says I can harvest legally.

every state and situation is different. if there are too many deer them some got to go but i would say do it wisely not just blast everything that walks.

just cause you can do something, doesn't mean you should. some want to be good stewards of the wildlife and some will never get past the yahoo stage. its the yahoos i don't want teaching the youth cause its starting them down the wrong path to being good stewards.

the bottom line is this, If a person shoots a "legal" Deer That's All that should matter.
Nobody should be concerned with whether a Buck OR Doe is a
Mature or Immature Deer so long as it's harvested within the legal means of that States Laws.

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Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the outcome of the vote.
-Benjamin Franklin